Massachusetts Snow Removal Laws and Liability
Keep those shovels ready.
Winter is underway, and we’ve already had the season’s first snowfall. You must understand your legal responsibilities regarding snow removal if you own residential or commercial property. The state where you live has laws that dictate snow removal, and in many cases, your city or town may have local ordinances or by-laws that further define snow and ice removal responsibilities.
In 2010, Massachusetts’ snow removal law underwent a significant change, with a Supreme Judicial Court ruling overturning a 100+ year-old Massachusetts rule that previously allowed property owners to not shovel “natural accumulations” of snow without liability. With the change in the law, all property owners (owner-occupied and rental) now have a legal obligation to keep their property free from snow and ice for the safety of visitors and guests…whether it’s “natural” or “unnatural” accumulations.
When do you have to shovel or treat icy surfaces?
Because of the dangers caused by snow and ice, shoveling and treating surfaces as quickly as possible is wise. If a threat exists, you have liability. Some cities and towns specify a minimum time by which surfaces must be cleared after a storm, but you may need to clean snow sooner; i.e., Boston businesses 3 hours and residences 6 hours; Worcester 12 hours.
Do you have to shovel sidewalks in front of your house/business?
Most Massachusetts cities and towns require property owners to clear sidewalks and check your city or town ordinances. Often, you can be fined for failing to remove snow. Also remember that shoveling snow out into the street is not allowed and is a fineable offense.
Can you transfer responsibility for shoveling to tenants?
Landlords are primarily responsible for snow removal at rental properties, which can’t be transferred by language in a lease. Property owners are responsible by law to keep all egresses free of obstruction. The only exception is when a dwelling has its egress that is not shared with other units. In this case, a landlord may require the tenant to be responsible for snow and ice removal of the entrance in a lease. However, this exception does not apply to the driveway or parking areas and so may not guarantee transfer of liability in some situations. It’s probably not worth taking a chance and relying on the tenant.
Do homeowners, dwelling fire, and commercial general liability policies cover injuries if someone slips and falls?
Typically, yes. Standard policies generally cover you if someone slips and falls on your property. Be sure you purchase sufficient liability coverage of at least $500,000 or $1,000,000. The additional cost of increasing coverage to $1,000,000 is minimal for many homeowners. When a lawsuit happens, you can never have enough insurance…ask any attorney!
Helpful Links
Massachusetts Law about Snow & Ice
Read Other Blog Posts
Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation
5 Tips for Adding a Teen to Your Auto Policy
Understanding the Risks of Speeding
Keeping Mold Out of Your Home
Tips for Preventing Home Burglaries
Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance
Spring Cleaning for your Insurance
Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for Auto Insurance
Don’t Underestimate the Risk and Impact of Disability
Your Renters Insurance Guide
Factors that Affect Home Insurance Premiums
Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Are You Doing Your Part?
How to Avoid Having an Underinsured Home
Protect Yourself from Underinsured and Uninsured Drivers
Even Responsible People Get Sued
Costly Insurance Mistakes to Avoid
10 Questions to Help Assess Changing Insurance Needs
A Full Insurance Review is Worth Your Time
How Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Need?
4 Things to Do After Buying Life Insurance
Don’t Put Off Creating Your Home Inventory
11 Issues that Can Impact Your Insurance Coverage
Can You Afford to Replace that Ring, Bracelet, etc.?
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
Renters, You Need Insurance, Too!
Changing “Garaging?” Don’t Delay In Telling Your Agent
What is Identity Theft Insurance?
Warmth Without Worry: A Guide to Space Heater Safety
Understanding Rental Car Insurance
What To Do If Your Pipes Freeze
Getting Your Financial House in Order
Massachusetts Snow Removal Laws and Liability
Driving in Winter…Be Prepared and Stay Safe
Fortify Your Future – A Guide to Updating Your Insurance for the New Year
Reduce The Risk of Winter-Related Losses
8 Myths About Life Insurance
Tips for Disaster-Free Holidays
Christmas Tree Safety
Holiday Safety Tips
Road Safety Tips for Holiday Travel
Turkey Fryer Safety
Thanksgiving Kitchen Safety Tips
Snow Plowing Liability for Completed Operations
What is Oil Spill Clean-Up Coverage? Why You Should Have It.
Why You Need a Personal Umbrella Policy
Daylight Savings Time…a Good Time to Check Alarms
Keys to Properly Insuring Your Home
Halloween Safety: Trick or Treat Tips
Halloween Safety: Home Safety Tips
Community & Volunteer-Related Liability Loss Exposures
What is Gap Insurance?
Before You Say, I Don’t Need Renters Insurance..
Making Sure that Your Home is Properly Covered for a Disaster
U.S. Auto Insurer Claim Payouts Soar Due to Increasing Inflation
Home Winter Weather Preparation Tips
Steps to Take When Renewing Your Insurance
What’s the Difference Between Auto Policy Cancellation and Non-Renewal?
Avoid a Deer vs. Car Collision
Consequences of Late Insurance Payments
Understanding the Insurance Claims Payment Process
Alarming Number of Americans Unprepared for a Major Disaster
Sewer Backup & Sump Overflow: Storm Claims Q&A
Safe Driving Tips for Teens
What to Do When a Hurricane Threatens
Why Ordinance or Law Coverage Can Be Important for Home and Business Properties
College Students: What You Should Know about Renters and Auto Insurance
Does my Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage?
Liability and Safety Tips for Dog Owners
8 Smart Steps for Buying Life Insurance
Back to School – College Student Insurance Coverage Tips
Don’t be Confused about Multi-Policy Discounts
Cohabiters Have Unique Insurance Coverage Issues
Insuring a Leased Car
Auto Insurance for Teen Drivers
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Pool Safety
Self-Storage Facilities: Insurance and Safety Tips for Storing your Stuff
Flood Insurance: Storm Claims Q&A
Prepare an Emergency Roadside Kit: Tips for Safe Driving
Fallen Trees: Storm Claims Q&A
Does Home Insurance Cover Mold?
Practice Good Driving Habits: Tips for Road Safety
Lightning Safety: 10 Myths—and the Facts
How Often Should I Review My Insurance Policy?
4th of July and Summer Fun Safety
Protect Your Kids: Tips for Safety In and Around Your Car
Safe Boating Checklist
Why are Home Insurance Premiums Going Up?
Boat Insurance and Safety
Grilling Safely
Before You Hit the Road: Tips for Vehicle Maintenance
Buying Disability Insurance
Motorcycles are Everywhere…Share the Road
Do You Really Know What You Have in Your House? Tips for Creating a Home Inventory
Car Care Tips
Cyclist Protection Tips
Hurricane Season Insurance Checklist
Does Your Auto Insurance Policy Cover a Rental Car While Traveling?
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance
Reasons to Purchase Permanent Life Insurance
Mitigate your Sewer Back-Up Loss Exposure
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
10 Tips for What to Do at an Accident Scene
Insurance Checklist for Getting your Motorcycle Back on the Road
Protect Yourself Before, During & After a Blizzard
In Control Advanced Driver Training Program
New Year Traditions and Superstitions
Start Your Engines – MA Low Plate Lottery 2022
How to Stop Receiving Mail Addressed to a Deceased Person
Flood Insurance Issues for Home Buyers & Sellers
How to Prevent Ice Dams
Prevent Flooding from Snow Melt
Is Your House Properly Winter-Proofed? Good Maintenance Can Prevent Damage to Your Home
Take the Scream Out of Halloween by Having the Right Type and Amount of Insurance Coverage
COVID Lessons About Life and Insurance
Murphy Insurance Offices Open to Visitors on June 1, 2021
Toys for Tots 2020 Needs Your Help!
Prepare Your Home for Old Man Winter
COVID-19 Update Message from Dennis Murphy Regarding RMV Backlog
Insuring Your Classic Car
Boat Insurance – Make Sure You’re Covered on the Water
Personal Auto Insurance COVID-19 Premium Return
Auto Insurance Issues Created by COVID-19 Crisis: Deliveries & Students Home Early
COVID-19 FAQs: Premium Payments & RMV Questions
Covid-19 – Insurance Related FAQs
New Massachusetts Hands-Free Cell Phone Driving Law: What You Need to Know
5 Tips for Disaster-Free Festivities
Safe Travels on Thanksgiving
Toys for Tots Drive 2019…Please Donate by December 10
Why You Should Have Oil Spill Clean-Up Coverage
Carbon Monoxide Detectors…It’s the Law!
Deer Collision Risk Peaks in November and December
Social Host Liability: Serving Alcohol at a Party? Be a Responsible Host
Motorcycles: Properly Insuring Your Bike
Stay Safe: Don’t Let an Accident Ruin Your Fun Out on the Water
Is the Protection You Have for Your Watercraft Underwater?
Top 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles 2017
12 Steps for Locating a Lost Life Insurance Policy
How To Protect Your Home From Water Damage
Understanding Your Insurance Deductibles
5 Tips for Solid Auto Insurance Coverage
How Often Should Jewelry or Other Scheduled Valuable Appraisals be Updated?
E-Signature Via DocuSign Makes Doing Business With Us Even More Convenient
MA RMV Closed and No RMV Services For 3 Days Starting March 22 at 7PM
New MA Real ID & Driver’s License Documentation Requirements Starting March 26, 2018
Who We Are…Learn a Little More About Murphy Insurance
What Affects the Cost of Your Auto Insurance?
Meet Our Toys for Tots Champion…Dawn Penzone
We’re Celebrating Our 80th…Stop by December 5th – 7th
Toys for Tots Drive 2017…Please Donate by December 11
Thanks and Please Be Safe In the Kitchen & On the Road
Equifax Breach – Freezing Your Credit May Impact Your Insurance
Uber, Lyft and Other TNC Drivers…New Endorsement Covers Insurance Gap
Flood Cars: How to Avoid Purchasing a Washed-Up Vehicle
80 Years Young…80 Years Strong
In Case of a Flood
6 Tips to Mitigate Potential Water Damage
Insurance for Uber, Lyft and Other TNC Drivers – Close the Gaps
Lawnmower Safety
Update – Movie Filming in Downtown Hudson, May 2017
Hollywood Comes To Hudson…May 2017
There’s a Fire at Your Apartment. Are You Insured?
NFPA Encourages Prompt Disposal of Christmas Trees and Safe Removal of Lights
All Electronic Tolling on Mass Pike – October 28
Summer Storm Resources to Help Mitigate Risks
Pokémon Go App Takes Millions of Players to Exciting New Worlds; Insurance Can Help Make Those Worlds (and This One) Safer
Cover Personal Injury Loss Exposures
Be Lightning Safe…Include a Lightning Protection System in your Building or Remodeling Plans
Mitigate Rental Property Coverage Gaps
Dog Bites Accounted for More than 1/3 of All Homeowner Liability Payouts Last Year
Why You Need Uninsured Motorists Coverage
Home Insurance Checklist…Getting the Best Value
House to Consider Legislation Regulating Transportation Network Companies for Ride-for-Hire
Be Aware of Uber and Airbnb Insurance Gaps
Managing Insurance Costs…Understanding Deductibles, Frequency and Severity
Murphy’s Corner…Delivering Value For You
Fending Off Home Burglars
Get Proper Protection for your Home Business
Are You Covered When You Borrow Someone’s Car?
Establish Online Precautions and Rules for Kids
Bump Up that Deductible!
Exercise Care on Freeways
Avoid Those Cell Phones While Driving
Reduce Your Exposure to Intersection Auto Accidents
Risk Management for ATV Owners
New Public Record Request Procedures in MA
Increase to Accident Surcharge Thresholds Limits Effective July 1, 2015
Headlight & Windshield Wiper Law No Longer a Surchargeable Offense – July 17, 2015
Have You Heard? NH New Hands-Free Electronic Device Law in Effect July 1, 2015
Massachusetts Senate Attempts to Increase Accident Surcharge Threshold Limits
Check Your Sump Pump
New MA Law Requires Use of Headlights Effective April 7, 2015
10 Things You Should Know About Insurance
Coaching Your Teenage Driver
Car Insurance Checklist…Getting the Best Value
The Evolution of Insurance Products
Tips for Protecting Property in Winter Weather
Snow Removal from Vehicles Laws
What is Your Jewelry Worth? When Should You Update Appraisals?
Snow Load Alert…Protect Your Roof and Building
Smother Residential Fire Losses
Vermont Cell Phone Ban for Drivers Begins October 1, 2014
Gender Related to Type of Car Crash
Most Stolen Cars in 2013
Is Insurance a Commodity?
Flood Insurance Bill Signed Into Law in 2014
Get Your Coverage Updated Well Before a Storm
Is Hands-Free Cell Phone Use Safe?
6 Tips for Burglar-Proofing Your Home
Thank You & Be Safe Over Thanksgiving
Safety Tips: Prevent Kitchen Fires This Thanksgiving
Hurricane Sandy One Year Later
Keep Your Home in Tip-Top Condition
Life Insurance: Understanding What Happens to Your Loved Ones if Something Happens to You?
Lessons From Sandy…Get Flood Protection
Drive Safely On Thanksgiving…And Thanks
Insurance Claim Tips For After The Storm
75 Years Strong
Remembering Irene…Lessons Learned
Documenting Antiques And Fine Art For Insurance
Consigning Property For Auction: Part 4 – Auction Fees
Consigning Property For Auction: Part 3 – The Auction Schedule
Consigning Property For Auction: Part 2 – Maximizing Your Antiques Appraisal
Consigning Property for Auction: Part 1 – Are You Ready for an Antiques Appraisal?
Insuring Antiques and Fine Art
Hit-and-Run…It Can Happen To You
5 Tips to Maximize Car Insurance Value
Most Stolen Cars in 2010
Driving Safely at Thanksgiving
Trick or Treat…Be Safe!
Don’t Risk a Lot For a Little
Back-to-School College Student Insurance Issues
Five Insurance Lessons from ‘The Town’
Welcome to the Murphy Insurance Blog!
Mobile Phone/Texting while Driving Law Effective September 30, 2010
Chapter 453 Acts of 2008: Homeowner Oil Heating System Upgrade and Insurance Law
Massachusetts Drivers Be Aware of New “Move Over Law”
Visit Our Homeowners Insurance Page
At Murphy Insurance, we take great care in assessing your options for homeowners insurance to ensure that you receive the most favorable value. Our dedication to serving you entails collaborating with highly-rated insurance providers and conducting comprehensive assessments of available choices. Our goal is to achieve the ideal equilibrium between affordability and coverage that suits your unique needs. Please let us provide you with a customized homeowners insurance quote.